Uncategorized

The Greatest Gift…

~ somethinginthewayshemoves

December is here, which means it’s time to get festive. I love Christmas time. It’s cosy and pretty and so much fun for the littles. It is also the time for giving.

I always feel very grateful at this time of year. I have a loving circle of friends and family to celebrate with. I will exchange gifts & decorate my warm home. I’ll indulge in yummy festive treats and watch the kids in my life enjoy the seasonal magic. I am incredibly lucky to be in such a safe & comfortable position. I’m not wealthy, but I have a little to spare and I will be sharing that extra.

Refuge provide support from women and children experiencing domestic abuse. Often those fleeing abuse must leave everything behind. You can fund a variety of parcels ranging from essentials to gift that will bring a little Xmas joy.

Willow Animal Santuary run a ‘cat hotel’ that specialises in homing cats that have been unable to find a safe home elsewhere. Cats who are not house trained, have psychological issues or are feral. Often cats like this are abandoned or euthanised. Willow allows them to live their lives in safety and comfort. Willow also provides sanctuary for farm animals. They have a strict no kill policy and cultivate the most loving environment for animals who may have led difficult lives. If you can, please help the animals in their care continue to thrive.

Glasgow’s Spirit of Christmas is an excellent resource for donating to local charities. They host tonnes of Glasgow based organisations and details what each needs. You can select the kind of gift and recipient you would like to donate to. There are lots of groups facilitating present buying for kids who might otherwise receive nothing. The idea of a child being excluded for the joy of discovering that ‘Santa has been’ breaks my heart. Charities like this allow us to be a tiny part of the Christmas magic. That feels like an enormous privilege.

Renew Roots are providers of direct aid in Gaza. They are currently supporting 137 families. Their aim is feed, educate, offer support to families who have lost everything. Despite the ‘ceasefire’ attacks and blockades are ongoing. Please give whatever you can.

Charity of the Month…

~ somethinginthewayshemoves

I know all is not well in the world and many of us are struggling. I only ask that if you are able, you consider making a contribution to any of the following appeals.

Another month over and still no improvement for the people of Gaza. The conditions remain horrific and Palestinians still desperately need our help. I have been supporting Haitham & Khalil and would dearly like you to give whatever you can. Haitham was studying to be nurse before this horror began. He is raising money to support his whole family. Khalil is a footballer who has dreamed of being a professional goalkeeper all his life. He and his family are struggling to access basic necessities like clean water. Please consider helping these young men if you are able.

My amazing sister did the Kilt Walk last week. Last year she participated 7mths pregnant, this year she had the baba strapped to her chest. She walked as part of a team raising money for Spina Bifida Scotland. Each year Spina Bifida Scotland must raise over £1 million to fund support services for children, young people and adults with the life long condition. With little statutory funding they rely almost entirely on donations. Please consider making a donation.

And if somebody hurts you, I wanna fight…

~ somethinginthewayshemoves

As the horrific attacks continue in Gaza it is easy to feel powerless. This month I am asking that you do what you can to help Haitham & his family.

Before October 7th Haitham was studying to be a nurse. He lost his home & place of education in Israeli strikes. He now lives with his parents & siblings in a tent. The family have been displaced many times. Haitham’s dream is to finish his studies & use his nursing kills to help his people. He recently organised a fundraiser to provide essentials & Eid gifts for children living in the tents. He desperately needs our help to get his family to safety.

Haitham’s mum, Tahrer is ill with rheumatic disease. She can not access the treatment & medication that she needs. His Dad, Jibril had a good job and comfortably supported his family. Due to the ongoing bombardment he is no longer able to provide. Multiple displacements have resulted in Haitham’s oldest sister Lenda, her husband & small child have been separated from the family. His younger siblings are living in terror. Haitham has already lost family members. He is raising money to evacuate his family when the Rafah crossing reopens. In the meantime they need our help to cover daily expenses.

If you are able you can make a donation here. Even small amounts add up. If you are unable to give money, you can still help. Please share Haitham’s story with the link to his gofundme. The more people who know his story, the higher the chances of reaching his target.

Haitham and his family are exactly like you & yours. They were going to work & school, having family meals, his younger sibling were safe to play & be children. Their lives have been destroyed through no fault of those own. Please don’t ignore their plight.

Help Haitham & his family reach safety.

The world it just keeps spinning…

~ somethinginthewayshemoves

Things have been rough since I lost Bronan. I keep expecting him to wander into the room. I’m home most of the time, so we were together all the time. My daily habits and routines were centred around my boy. Eveything feels off without him.

I had Bronan cremated & he’s back home now. I also have a little bit of his fur. I haven’t completely decided, but I think I will scatter a little of him in his garden with some forget me not seeds. I will keep the rest of his ashes home with me. The people I worked with were wonderful. Very compassionate & professional. I am grateful that they made our last moments together so peaceful.

I have been seeking solace in my little ones. They are so loving and wonderful. They offer temporary distraction from my sadness. It’s summer holidays, so we’ve had time to have lots of adventures. We’ve been to the park, swimming, the cinema and more.

My adult people have also been wonderful. It’s very comforting to be around people who don’t need me to explain how I’m feeling. I want to say thank you to everyone who has been so kind here & on Instagram etc. I appreciate all of your lovely words.

Open your eyes…

~ somethinginthewayshemoves

This month I’d like to talk about conflicts in parts of the world that are often ignored. People are dying, being exploited and suffering whilst most of the world does nothing.

The conflict in Sudan broke out in April 2023. A power struggle between government forces & RSF has resulted in a humanitarian crisis. More than 7 million people have been internally displaced with a further 1.9 million seeking refuge in neighbouring countries. The human cost is enormous; gender based violence, food & water shortages, disease outbreaks pose immediate threat. Economic insecurity, health & education infrastructure attacks compound the crisis. You can help.

UNHCR work tirelessly to provide aid to refugees. They establish transit centres for rest, access to essential protection services and emergency supplies. They also assist displaced people inside Sudan with non food items and shelter. Please donate if you can.

A resurgence of fighting in DR Congo has worsened the humanitarian crisis. Forced displacement began almost 20 yrs ago, 7.9 million Congolese people are currently displaced. Many of them are in urgent need. In conflict areas women and children face widespread sexual violence. Kidnappings, extortion and forced labour are common place along with food, water & medical shortages. The scale of the crisis is terrifying. Please do what you can.

The IRC work to provide a number of services in DR Congo. Emergency medical care, shelter, training government workers, counselling for survivors of sexual violence and more. Please give what you can.

Help me if you can…

~ somethinginthewayshemoves

The wonderful Erin Hattamer has devised a way for people who use social media to help families in Gaza. She has been doing incredible work for the Palestinian people and she is is also incredibly funny, go give her a follow. I have volunteered to ‘adopt’ a family in Gaza and I need your help.

This is how it works, volunteers are paired with families who require help and we share their stories in the hopes of raising funds to get them to safety. I have been paired with Dema. Dema is 19yrs old, she & her family are stuck in Rafah. Dema, her parents, Ghadeer & Nidal and her brothers, Hani & Muhammad are living in a tent. They have no money nor do they have access to safe food & water. They have been displaced multiple times already. Ghadeer has suffered a stroke & Hani has been exposed to hepatitis via unclean water. They desperately need our help to get to safety & access medical treatment.

Their plan is to first get Ghadeer to safety, followed by Hani as they both require medical treatment. Then finally Dema, Nidal & Muhammad. In order to achieve this they need funds. This is just an ordinary family who find themselves in extraordinary circumstances by events beyond their control. Try to imagine how your family would survive in their situation.

The good news is that we can help. If you are able, please make a donation to the Go Fund Me linked blow. If you are unable to donate, you can still help. I will be making videos & posts across my social media sharing Dema’s story. The more people we can make aware of their plight, the higher the chances of them reaching their target. Every share and every penny counts.

Help Dema & her family reach safety.

Put your boots on…

~ somethinginthewayshemoves

This month in continued attempts to stop buying clothes I don’t need, I have been attempting to mine gems from the darkest reaches of my wardrobe.

I have about a million dresses and some just don’t get a look in. Example A would be this dress. It the softest, cosiest easy wear and I do not know why I neglect it. It is brutally cold here, so additional layering is essential. This wee shrug/jumper thing is ideal. Also super soft and cosy. It was a Xmas gift and I love it. I can throw it on with anything for extra warm.

Dress – Monsoon Jumper – Gift Boots – Air Cloudies

The next dress really did come from the deepest depths. I’ve had this one for close to 20yrs. It’s is a magical wrap dress that somehow fits me whatever size I am. I love the vintagey print. The only annoying thing is the tie loosens and it gets a bit heavy on the cleavage. Easily solved by popping a vest on next time.

Dress – Very old H&M. Jumper – Gift

Finally we have yesterday’s outfit. We took Dad out for an early birthday lunch. I wanted to step it up a little, but still look day time. I dug around in my drawers and found this amazing sheer t shirt. The colour is so vibrant, it was just what this jumpsuit needed to causal it down a little bit. I also broke out my jazziest glasses. I adore these specs. They are actually really heavy, so not great for wearing everyday. I do love giving them an outing.

Jumpsuit – Curve Soul* T-Shirt – Taking Shape* Glasses – Where Light

Bronan remains unfussed by my sartorial efforts. As long as I continue to pander to his every whim, he is happy.

* Gifted, but opinions remain honest.

If you like what I do you can support me here or on Patreon.

A good man these days…

~ somethinginthewayshemoves

We once again find ourselves in this strange liminal time between one big day & the next. A time I spend mostly in my jammies eating whatever does not require cooking. All the while feeling somewhat discombobulated. Since I am struggling to keep track of the days or my own thoughts, I’m going to leap into a little flight of fancy.

For no apparent reason I am finishing the year with an ode to Ian Hislop. I love the man. He does occasionally rankle me with his SNP mockery, but I simply can’t help adoring him anyway.

His editorship at Private Eye makes the magazine one of life’s essentials. A fortnightly dose of punctured hypocrisy is needed more than ever. Whilst Have I got Got News for You brings weekly shot of joy.

I am drawn to his wit. I find his brand of comical judgement irresistible. A man who knows his classics & can still laugh at himself bowls me over. As does a sense of genuine decency. Mr Hislop possesses all of the above.

His cute face turning stern as he crushes a corrupt politician sets my heart a flutter. My attraction only grows as he grows older and more crumply. In 30 years of fandom I have yet to discover any truly unpleasant views. He is a shining of example of the rare ‘nice man’.

His enduring marriage both confirms my belief in his eligibility and damns my hopes of ever catching his twinkly eye. I am a sucker for a man who can maintain a happy long term relationship. It is certainly not conducive to capturing objects of my affection since their interest in me would immediately destroy the family man qualities that attracted me. Alas, I cannot help but admire a loyal husband.

Embarrassing a Tory Mp on national television will always win you my affection. So too will being a cat person evidenced by the appearance of Colin during lockdown. Hankering for men who embrace their oddities has always been my thing. Thus I cannot help be enamoured with Ian’s proud ownership of interests that others seek to mock.

Though he will never be mine, I shall forever yearn for the esteemed satirist. A slightly unusual intellectual with basic human goodness lights my fire. You can keep your hunks & rocks stars. I want the little guy with integrity and an uncanny ability to give powerful people a tongue lashing.

If you like what I do you can support me here or on Patreon.

Charity of the Month

~ somethinginthewayshemoves

Sadly, recent events in the Middle East have made the decision of who to donate to this month obvious. The humanitarian crisis in Palestine is more urgent than ever.

A terrorist atrocity should not lead to an attack on a civilian population. The international community has a responsibility to upload international law & to provide aid to Palestine.

Medical Aid for Palestine provide immediate medical treatment for Palestinian living under occupation and as refugees. They also help create infrastructure & train people to ensure the development of the healthcare system.

I’m sure you have all watched the news with the same horror as myself. Children make up half the population in Gaza. No child (or any person) should have to experience such fear & violence. If you can please donate here.

You can also find a template to write to you Mp here. If you’re not sure who your Mp you can find them here.

23

~ somethinginthewayshemoves

Dear Son,

Today would be your 23rd birthday. I can’t imagine that I would be top of your party list. Mothers tend to cramp one’s style. Still, I think about how you would celebrate.

Would you feel too old for cake with candles? I wonder if a family dinner would be on the agenda. I picture your Gran fussing over you. Your Aunts & Uncles buying you drinks & taking the piss. I see you surrendered to your little cousin’s nonsense entreaties. It’s all perfect. Of course I know life wouldn’t always be that way, but this is what I hoped to give you.

Recently I’ve been wondering what would come next. When I kissed you goodbye, where would you be headed off to? I was self sufficient by 23. I graduated that year, I was living alone in a flat I hated & working a crappy job to get by. My mental health was a mess & adulting was a learning curve. It wasn’t all bad. I was young & answerable only to myself. I had good friends and we made the most of our youth. I partied as many nights a week as I could afford. I felt such satisfaction; paying the bills, managing a home. Living life on my terms. Always, though, you were missing.

I thought of how my life would be with you then as much as I do now. The younger years were easier to imagine. I don’t know what decisions you would have made. I’d have wanted you to go to University. I’m sure I’d be happy to still have you at home. Perhaps you’d have a partner. You could be just like me. A new graduate balancing a job & the clubs. Or maybe you’d have taken an entirely different route. I’d support anything that made you happy. I’d be proud of the man you would be becoming.

I only write today, but you’re in my thoughts every day. I’d have done whatever it took to give you everything you needed.

Love always,

Mum.